Homeowners hoping to sell their property before Christmas should act fast with new analysis showing that homes listed after 23 October are unlikely to reach a sale before the festive break.
According to data from the HomeOwners Alliance, which analysed transactions using its Best Estate Agent Finder tool, it currently takes an average of 58 days for a property to sell in the UK. With the final Friday before Christmas falling on 20 December, the cut-off point for achieving a pre-Christmas sale is just over a week away.
The research highlights wide regional variations in the speed of sales. In Northern Ireland, homes are selling in an average of just 32 days, while in the South West of England sellers typically wait 71 days – the longest of any region. Overall, properties in the North are selling significantly faster than those in the South.
Glasgow tops the list of fastest-moving markets, where homes are reaching a sale subject to contract in only 22 days, followed by Manchester and Leeds. London, by contrast, continues to lag behind at 65 days, while in Nottingham the average is 66 days.
CLOCK IS TICKING
Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, which hosts the Best Estate Agent Finder tool, says: “With the leaves falling and Christmas ads already creeping onto our screens, it may feel early to mention the big day – but if moving home is on your wish list, the clock is ticking.
“The last day to list your property to be in with a chance of an agreed sale before Christmas is 23rd October.
“That doesn’t mean you’ll be in your new home by the end of the year – there are still plenty of hoops and hurdles along the way, especially if you’re yet to find where you want to move to. But having a sale secured will put you in a strong position to plan your move in the New Year.”
BEAT THE RUSH
And she adds: “Get ahead of the game by inviting three top-performing local estate agents to value your home. Compare their track records, read the reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask questions before choosing the right one.
“And here’s an extra reason not to hang about: with the Budget set for 26th November, many sellers and buyers will be waiting to see if changes to housing or tax are announced.
“Beat the rush, list before the 23rd, and you could be raising a glass to a successful sale this Christmas.”
